When will Russia become part of the West?

[Armenum]

No geographically of course, but politically when will Russia cease to be a adversary to the West and become a partner/member of it? The recent military cooperation between the US/NATO and Russia is an example, and in general since the break up of the USSR such cooperation has increased. Russia has taken a similar stance towards the Iranian nuclear program and seems also determined to be supportive of the efforts in Afghanistan. More and more it seems that the interests/goals of Russia and the West are overlapping at more places.

In this day of age, can the West really afford to have Russia as an adversary?

[wilpuri]

The question is rather, when will continental Europe dissassociate itself with this "West."

[Armenum]

The question is rather, when will continental Europe dissassociate itself with this "West."

Well by the West as of today I mean NATO & EU. Remember many EU countries are part of NATO. So if EU disassociates itself with the west, that means it has to disassociate itself from NATO, but then there really isn't NATO left

[wilpuri]

Well by the West as of today I mean NATO & EU. Remember many EU countries are part of NATO. So if EU disassociates itself with the west, that means it has to disassociate itself from NATO, but then there really isn't NATO left

Which would bring my diabolical plans for world domination one step closer.

[MentshmitT]

Russia is probably always what serves best her interests. That means in some respects Russia is part of the "West" and in others not.

[Exarch]

russia, being the heirs of the byzantines, are...well, byzantine in their dealings

being part of 'the west' means giving up being the singular hegemon and just being one othe rabble second to the whims of whoever's the hegemon of 'the west' grouping.

[Vizsla]

Only Vladimir Putin knows the answer to this question.
My guess is being critical of the West, and being seen to oppose US interests, is a useful way of keeping nationalist electoral support internally and keeps weapons sales flowing externally.
It’s also a good excuse for keeping a large military.

[eran]

I think they are too strong to be part of the west, becase with great power comes great desire to influence others...

[RomanSoldier9001]

I think they are too strong to be part of the west, becase with great power comes great desire to influence others...

Too strong are you joking? Russia is so bad that their Minister of Defence as said that is better to Russia to buy foreign military equipament then Russians produce their military equipament for modern warfare is pretty junk compare to a NATO country.

[Nikitn]

Too strong are you joking? Russia is so bad that their Minister of Defence as said that is better to Russia to buy foreign military equipament then Russians produce their military equipament for modern warfare is pretty junk compare to a NATO country.

Please don't post spam. We saw how "weak" Russia was when it steamrolled the Georgian army (partially US trained and equipped). Besides who is this defence minister? And do you really think he is so stupid as to let Russian defence industry die? Uses your brain romansoldier.

[Atlaas]

What will Russia win by joining? Nothing really.
What will it loose? A lot of weapons sales ($$$) and influence. Russia is seen as an alternative and counter power to the West for many countries.

[Nikitn]

russia, being the heirs of the byzantines, are...well, byzantine in their dealings

being part of 'the west' means giving up being the singular hegemon and just being one othe rabble second to the whims of whoever's the hegemon of 'the west' grouping.

Russia is the most powerful country in Europe, so if it joined the EU in 30 years (with an updated economy far bigger than any European 1) it would dominate it along with Germany.

They won't be joining anytime soon when nutjobs like this guy are given keynote spots at top foreign relations conferences.

Plenty of populists/idiots in US government as well.

Anyway Russian Empire was part of the west.

[Stavroforos]

When the Russophobes which seem to come from Northern Europe realize that Russia isn't a threat to Europe.

[Basil II the B.S]

When the Russophobes which seem to come from Northern Europe realize that Russia isn't a threat to Europe.

this.

[The Noble Lord]

When the Russophobes which seem to come from Northern Europe realize that Russia isn't a threat to Europe.

Good question.

[Cavalier]

When the Russophobes which seem to come from Northern Europe realize that Russia isn't a threat to Europe.

Never!

[irontaino]

The day Russia joins the West is when the West loses a valuable critic

[CiviC]

In this day of age, can the West really afford to have Russia as an adversary?

The West afforded Soviet Union as an adversary, why not Russia?
Soon, alternative energies will deprive Russia of her main argument : gas.

[hellheaven1987]

Soon, alternative energies will deprive Russia of her main argument : gas.

But first we need to bring out that "alternative energy" first, which is still far from alpha states.

[CarbEast]

The West afforded Soviet Union as an adversary, why not Russia?
Soon, alternative energies will deprive Russia of her main argument : gas.

Although until now these "alternative energies" were only good at separating fools with their money.

As for the question in the OP, the problem here is that 'West' isn't something material. It's nothing more than a mind construct, and in this quality is very little related with what Russia actually is or does.